When purchasing a brand new vehicle, car buyers rank color right next to make and model when formulating their new vehicle wish list. For 2003, Chrysler Group's color experts predict that silver, and new hues influenced by silver, will be popular in the new 2003 model year.

"From automobiles to appliances, silver will be a strong color for many mainstream products," said Margaret Hackstedde, Director of Color, Fabric and Mastering Design, Chrysler Group. "In fact, one out of every four vehicles that we sell is silver. For the 2003 model year, we introduced fresh, new silver-influenced hues on our cars, trucks and minivans. Silver is a technical, refined color that reflects the continuing technology boom. We'll also see blue, along with a variety of blue shades, emerge as a popular color choice in 2003."

Chrysler color designers use the company's high-image concept vehicles to introduce new color ideas, concepts which have included street sensations such as Dodge Viper, Chrysler Prowler, PT Cruiser, and the all-new 2004 Chrysler Pacifica and Crossfire which will be available in early 2003. Much in the same fashion that these vehicles moved from concept to reality, well-received concept vehicle colors also make their way into production paint palettes.

"Similar to our designs, we want the colors of our vehicles to evoke a strong, passionate emotional response," said Hackstedde. "We want our colors to enhance the dramatic curves and beautiful shapes of our vehicles."

To formulate colors for future automobiles, Chrysler Group employs a creative staff dedicated solely to developing color ideas. With a two- to three-year timeframe for bringing a new automobile to market, the challenge for an automotive designer is to predict which colors will be popular in the distant future. Chrysler Group typically offers 10 different colors for each of its models.

"We refer to industry color forecasts, including the color Marketing Group and the International color Authority, in order to validate our color direction," said Hackstedde. "We have our fingers on the pulse of which colors will be popular in the future."